General permit antidegradation review

General permit antidegradation review. (1) General permit issuance or reissuance. The department shall apply the antidegradation policy and implementation procedures set out in this section for each new, reissued, modified, or revoked and reissued general WPDES permit as part of the general permit issuance process rather than at the time coverage for individual applicants is granted. Before a general permit is issued or reissued, the department shall do all of the following: (a) Obtain available information, as necessary, to support specific requirements and determinations under this section as it relates to any new or increased discharges. (b) Make determinations that the antidegradation policy and the antidegradation implementation requirements under this section are met. (c) Provide the antidegradation determination during the general permit public notice and accept comments on the determination. (2) Conveyance of coverage. If the department issues a determination under sub. (1) that a general WPDES permit will achieve the antidegradation water quality standards under s. NR 102.045 , further antidegradation procedures are not required for an applicant seeking coverage under that general permit, provided that the applicant certifies that the general permit conditions will be met and the department has granted the applicant coverage under the general permit authorizing the discharge.